1 August 2024

Yowza.  July was the month that was:  first the terrible debate fallout, then the attempted assassination, then Democratic despair over Biden’s determination to continue campaigning, and THEN CrowdStrike’s global software meltdown, followed on Sunday, 21 July by President Biden’s astonishingly brave and patriotic announcement that he was standing down, Vice President Harris’s immediately stepping up and securing the Democratic nomination, and a complete reversal of fortune for all of us breaking our hearts over the likelihood of another Trump presidency.  Trump’s racist misogyny rolls on, abetted by the opportunist Vance, but Harris continues to vault over his petty ad hominem attacks and performative buffoonery.  And speaking of vaults!  Check out the gravity-defying Simone Biles, triumphant over the twisties and in confident mental and physical health, soaring through the Parisien air to become the most decorated gymnast of all time. Inspiring.

So, over the past weekend, I took a break from all that’s horrible to enjoy all that’s wonderful about summertime in New Hampshire, and record here in my 105th post some of its many delights, beginning with visits three days in a row to the impossibly twee and charming New Castle, first for the Parade of Sails brunch on Friday, 26 July, a delightful affair offered this newest member of the Seacoast Village Project.

Saturday morning’s errands meant a trip to Tuckaway Farm in Lee for tomatoes and eggs (purchased on the honor system, praise be), and a cheery greeting from a progressive carpenter at work there, whose truck caught my attention.

Another interesting automotive sentiment appeared in the parking lot of the Lee Market Basket:

There’s certainly a story there. The final errand: getting peaches from the Union Lake Orchard in Barrington NH, a pleasure delayed by a year due to the killing frost in the spring of 2023 that wiped out crops across NH and MA. The postponed pleasure has been even sweeter as a result.

All errands run, the afternoon brought a tonic Atlantic dip to welcome the newest member of the Lovely Order of Cold-Water Mermaids club, interior designer Carolyn, into the attitude-adjusting chill of the New Castle cove at high tide (her first pronouncement:  “I’m f***ing FREEZING!”), followed by delightfully arranged refreshment on the patio courtesy of New Castle resident, friend, and another accomplished interior designer, Phyllis.

The next day, Sunday, brought one more return to New Castle Common for an early evening picnic with friend and former colleague Sheila, newest member of the widows club no one wants to join. A peaceful, beautiful place, that, especially in good company.

Beauty and friendship ARE tonic.  And so is my yoga class, the UNH pool pass lent me by friend Carol, the Madbury Public Library Book Club (which just introduced me to writer Dave Eggers), and the sunflowers now blooming in Lee at the Coppal House Farm.  It’s a new month.  I’ve flipped the calendar and elevated my expectations, volunteering, donating, and once again, HOPING.  Hallelujah.